Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Technical Points for Plantain Seeds
Plantain seed, also known as greater plantain, Asiatic plantain, plantain kernel, etc., is the dried mature seed of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa of the Plantaginaceae family. It is widely distributed throughout China, often growing in grasslands, riverbanks, ditches, meadows, fields and roadsides. Its young plants are edible, and the whole plant used as medicine has the effects of diuresis, clearing heat, improving eyesight and resolving phlegm. Let us take a look below at how to plant plantain seeds!
Sowing at the Right Time
The suitable sowing period for plantain seed is late July, and the seedling bed should first be under melon or yam trellises. The seeding rate for the field is 40-50 grams per mu, with a seedling bed area of 10 sq m. After leveling the seedling bed, water it thoroughly, mix the seeds evenly with fine sand, sow them, then cover lightly with fine soil, and cover with wet rice straw to retain moisture and help emergence. After 60% emergence, remove the covering straw, then cover with a shade net to shade, cool and retain moisture for seedling cultivation. The seedling age is 30-35 days, cultivating strong seedlings with 4-5 fully expanded leaves.
Applying Sufficient Base Fertilizer
For plantain seed, the preceding crop should preferably be early-planted peanut, idle land after autumn soybean harvest, or autumn idle fields after early rice harvest. Spread 2000-3000 kg of cattle and pig manure per mu plus 40-50 kg of boron-containing compound fertilizer or 1 kg of borax as base fertilizer. After plowing, harrowing and leveling, make beds 1.2 m wide with unlimited length. The ditch is 30 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Irrigation is needed during autumn and winter droughts, and drainage is essential during the rainy spring and summer.
Transplanting at the Right Time
The suitable transplanting period for plantain seed is late August to early September. Before transplanting, spray 150 g of dinitramine per mu mixed with 50 kg of water on the surface soil to control weeds. Transplant on a cloudy afternoon before White Dew, planting 4 rows per bed at a spacing of 30*20 cm, with one strong seedling with soil per hole, planting 8500-9000 plants per mu. After planting, water with a root-setting solution containing 0.2% urea. On the second day after planting, if it is sunny and dry, irrigate with running water in the evening to thoroughly wet the bed.
Topdressing at the Right Time
The first topdressing for plantain seed is carried out 7 days after frost, applying 5 kg of urea per mu mixed with 1000 kg of water. After 10 days, apply the second topdressing (same amount as before). About 25 days after planting, spray 100-150 g of borax and 150 g of methamidophos mixed with 50 kg of water on the leaves to promote spike flower differentiation and prevent aphid damage. Around October 1, the plants should be over 20 cm tall with leaves over 10 cm wide and about 10 large leaves per plant, promoting the development of many large spikes and laying a foundation for high yield.
Harvesting and Processing
1. Seed harvest: Plantain seeds can be harvested when the lower fruit husks of the spike turn light brown, the middle fruit husks begin to turn yellow, and the upper fruits have finished flowering. Harvesting is best done in the morning or on cloudy days. After drying the seeds in the sun, store them in a dry place.
2. Whole plant harvest: When plantain seedlings grow to 6-7 leaves and 13-17 cm in height, they can be harvested for vegetable use. The medicinal efficacy is highest in the late vigorous growth stage and before the spike stage when the spike has emerged to the same length as the leaves and has not yet flowered, at which time the whole plant can be harvested.
Pest and Disease Control
1. Powdery mildew
[Damage] A layer of grayish-white powder appears on the surface or back of the leaves, eventually causing the leaves to wither and die.
[Control] Spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl 1000 times dilution at the early stage of the disease.
2. Aphids
[Damage] Damage plant leaves and cause reduced yield.
[Control] Spray with 10% imidacloprid wettable powder 1500 times dilution for a good effect.
3. Spike blight
[Damage] The spike is gradually infected from top to bottom, turning dark brown and necrotic, directly affecting the yield and quality of plantain.
[Control] In March and April, use 4 packets of 40% Huoba wettable powder per mu, or alternate with 80% ethylicin and Aopuan.